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Prince named NL Player of the Week

Prince named NL Player of the Week

4/10/11: Prince Fielder crushes a towering two-run home run to center field, deadlocking the score at 2 in the bottom of the first inning

By Cash Kruth
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MLB.com |

After losing four straight games to open the season, the Brewers finally caught fire this past week, winning five of six games heading into Tuesday's series opener at Pittsburgh.

A big reason for Milwaukee's turnaround was the offensive outburst of first baseman Prince Fielder, who on Monday was named the National League Player of the Week.

In seven games against the Braves and Cubs last week, Fielder led the Majors with 11 RBIs and 21 total bases, while batting .440 (11-for-25). The 26-year-old left-handed batter also had two homers and four doubles during that time period, finishing the week tied for second in the NL in both categories. He also slugged .840, posting a .500 on-base percentage.

Fielder also had a trio of three-hit games during the week and on Saturday tied a franchise record for doubles in a game with three, which had been done 33 times.

Other Brewers who were up for Player of the Week consideration were closer John Axford, who recorded three saves while not allowing a run last week, and left-handed starter Chris Narveson, who in two starts (13 innings) did not allow a run while striking out 14.

Cash Kruth is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @cashkruth. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.